NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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69 farming families honored with the

Hoosier Homestead Award

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INDIANAPOLIS (April 1, 2022) ??At the Indiana Statehouse, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Bruce Kettler presented 69 families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

?I always look forward to engaging with Indiana?s historic farming families during the Hoosier Homestead Award ceremonies,? Crouch said. ?The longstanding values, dedication and resiliency of these families will ensure their farm and family?s legacy live on for many generations.?

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

Today, the department awarded three farms for bicentennial ownership. They are the Williams farm from Madison County (est. 1822), the Hartman farm from Parke County (est. 1822) and the Arnold farm from Rush County (est. 1821).?

Since the program's inception in 1976, nearly 6,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.

?It is hard to put into words the value these farming families have provided to their communities, our state and the Indiana agricultural industry since the formation of their farms,? Kettler said. ?It is my utmost pleasure to honor these longstanding families for their dedication to providing the feed, food and fuel necessary to sustain our state.?

Below is a list of the Hoosier Homestead Award recipients honored during the spring 2022 ceremony:

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Click here for Lt. Gov. Crouch's audio.?

Click here for ISDA Director Kettler's audio.?

For more information about the Hoosier Homestead Award program, please visit isda.in.gov. Photos from today's ceremony will be posted to ISDA's Flickr page by Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

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Pictured above is the Williams Family from Madison County who received a bicentennial award. To download this full resolution photo please click here.?

ABOUT ISDA
The?Indiana State Department of Agriculture?(ISDA) was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005. Administratively, ISDA reports to?Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana?s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.